By Alana Mauger
Twenty years ago this April, the Red Cross House opened its doors in University City, providing a safe, comfortable place where families can stay together following a disaster. Over that time, nearly 6,000 families from Philadelphia and surrounding communities have started their path to recovery with the American Red Cross.
“Those 6,000 families experienced what is probably the hardest day of their lives” said Regional Red Cross CEO Guy Triano during a Red Cross House anniversary celebration on April 18th. “They’ve just lost nearly everything in a home fire and probably didn’t know where to turn. The Red Cross House represents hope.”
This unique center for disaster recovery provides a safe and comfortable place where families can stay together after a disaster. The Red Cross House is the only facility of its kind in the country. It features 26 bedroom suites, each with its own bathroom and kitchenette. Clients get breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared in an on-site commercial kitchen and are assigned a caseworker that supports them during and after their stay.
“We served nearly a million meals during those 20 years,” said Triano. “More than 17,500 disaster survivors have met with a Red Cross caseworker on their road to recovery.”
The Red Cross House is funded exclusively through donations from individuals and corporations and operates 24/7, 365 days-a-year thanks to the dedication of Red Cross staff and volunteers. The facility was fully renovated during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when it was not open to clients.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney was among the dignitaries who joined Red Cross volunteers and staff for the 20th anniversary celebration last week. Kenney, whose father is a retired battalion chief, holds great empathy for those impacted by home fires.
He shared, “Residential fires in rowhouse neighborhoods are really, really dangerous because they often cause damage to houses on either side of them. When you lose everything and you lose a loved one, it’s horrible. You lose all your possessions. It’s so disconcerting, so upsetting. It’s wonderful that this place is here – that the volunteers and staff are here.”
Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes and Philadelphia Council Member Jamie Gauthier joined Mayor Kenney in celebrating the Red Cross House anniversary.
“I remember last year going out to one of my neighborhoods in the southwest, and there was a fire in an apartment complex. People were completely displaced,” Gauthier recalled. “I saw the look of relief in people’s eyes when the Red Cross volunteers and staff came to the scene. And that’s because you all are providing people with compassion in some of their worst moments.”
Additional attendees included Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management Director Dominick Mireles, FEMA Region III Administrator Mary Ann Tierney, Deputy Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson and Philadelphia Fire Department Captain Derek Bowmer.
Lori Bruce and Elizabeth Simeone were also at the event representing long-time Red Cross corporate partner Wawa, Inc. and the Wawa Foundation.
“We’re proud to support the Red Cross House since its inception, and we really, truly appreciate everything that you all do,” said Bruce, senior manager of media relations for Wawa, Inc. “We’re grateful for the for the vital role that you all play in responding, supporting and caring for those impacted by disasters. We recognize Philadelphia as our hometown, and to have a resource that’s available right here in our community that’s available to our neighbors shows just how much we really bring brotherly love to this area.”
The celebration wrapped up with a special cake and tours of the facility. To learn more about the Red Cross House, visit our website. Check out our Flickr album for event photos.
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